Methods And Systems For Content Management

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for content management are disclosed. An information blocking service can be enabled to block information related to content, such as content showing a competitive event. The information blocking service can detect and analyze events associated with a user and content. The information blocking service can block, modify, or otherwise prevent the user from accessing the information.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/639,286 filed Mar. 5, 2015, which is herein incorporated by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Competitive events and other programs can be broadcast to users atinconvenient times, such as when users are asleep or busy. Oftentimes,the result is that a viewer may watch a recording of the competitiveevent or program after it has been broadcast. There is a need forsystems to enable a viewer to watch competitive events or other contentin a manner that maintains the “live” experience even after broadcast.Otherwise, a user's viewing experience can be diminished due to“spoilers,” which occur when a user receives critical information suchas a final score of a game before the user has watched the game. Theseand other shortcomings are addressed in the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that both the following general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive, as claimed. Provided are methods and systemsfor information management. The methods and systems can implement aninformation blocking system configured to hide from and/or reveal to, auser, information related to content, such as sport scores, plotinformation, and social media. Event information (e.g., user actions,service provider actions) can be monitored and collected from a varietyof users and content related services. The event information can beanalyzed to determine whether a user is likely to prefer to receiveinformation related to content when the information is available orwhether the user is likely to prefer delaying receiving the information.The information blocking system can then take measures (e.g., send outinstructions, modify content) to prevent the user from receiving theinformation until a later, more preferable time. For example, themethods and systems can enable the user to avoid “spoilers” that maycause the user to accidentally learn of an event (e.g., a plot twist ina television series), score, statistic, outcome and/or the like of acompetitive event or other program before the user viewed the content.

In an aspect, an example method can comprise providing content to auser. The content can comprise, for example, a transmission (e.g.,broadcast, narrowcast, unicast, etc.), recording, stream, and/or thelike of an event (e.g., sporting event, competition), show (e.g. realityshow), movie, and/or the like. The content can be received and/orprovided by one or more of a set top box, computer, mobile device,content server, and/or the like. One or more triggering actions can thenbe detected, for example, by one or more local and/or servicesconfigured to detect events from a variety of user devices. In anaspect, the triggering actions can be related to the content. Forexample, a triggering action can comprise favoriting an entity relatedto the content, pausing the content, rewinding the content, recordingthe content, tuning to the content (e.g., or otherwise receiving thecontent) for a specified time, delaying from a time of a live eventcommunicated in the content before providing the content, a combinationthereof, and/or the like.

An information blocking service can be enabled (or disabled) based ondetecting the triggering action. The information blocking service canoperate from a central location and can notify one or more devices thatthe user utilizes for content consumption. For example, the informationblocking service can be enabled to notify one or more devices associatedwith the user to hide information related to the content. As theinformation blocking service is enabled, information, such as livesports scores, can be hidden from users and/or delayed in being providedto users. For example, a sports application can freeze or hide scores ofa particular competitive event until an appropriate time arrives forsharing the information.

In another aspect, an example method can comprise collecting eventsrelated to a content item and/or user action and categorizing the eventsas indicative of whether a user prefers to delay notification ofinformation related to the content item. The event can comprise, forexample, modifying a favorite status (e.g., unfavoriting or favoriting)associated with an entity (e.g., team, competitor) related to thecontent item, pausing the content item, rewinding the content item,recording the content item, tuning to the content item for a specifiedtime, delaying from a time of a live event communicated in the contentitem before providing the content item to the user, a combinationthereof, and/or the like. The content item can comprise for example,recorded content, live content, a content stream, and/or the like. Thecontent item can comprise and/or represent a competitive event, show,movie, and/or the like. The user action can comprise, for example, anaction at a user device, such as pausing, fast forwarding, rewinding,scheduling a recording, favoriting a team, tuning to or from content,and/or the like. Information related to the content item can be, forexample, scoring information (e.g., team scores, individual scores)associated with the competitive event, social media information (e.g.,post, status, message indicating plot development), and/or the like. Adetermination can be made as to whether to hide the information relatedto the content item from the user or reveal the information related tothe content item to the user based on the categorization of the events.For example, categories can include, but are not limited to, a firstcategory of events that indicate a user's interest in delaying receivinginformation related to a content item and a second category of eventsthat indicate a user's interest in receiving the information related tothe content item without delay. Additionally, weight information can beassigned to events as the events are categorized. For example the firstcategory can be associated with positive weights and the second categorycan be associated negative weights. A calculation can be performed thatadds each of the weights of the categorized events together. If theresult is positive then it can be determined to hide the informationrelated to content from the user, but if the result is negative it canbe determined to reveal the information related to content to the user.An instruction can be provided to a device to hide the information fromthe user or reveal the information to the user based on thedetermination of whether to hide the information from the user or revealthe information to the user.

In another aspect, a plurality of information blocking preferences canbe received, an information blocking scheme can be applied to aplurality of content items based on the plurality of informationblocking preferences, and an instruction can be sent to a device (e.g.,or a group of devices, or to particular devices in a group) to preventproviding (e.g., transmitting, rendering, or otherwise making available)of information to a user based on the information blocking scheme.Additionally, consumption by the user of a first content item of theplurality of content items can be determined, and the informationblocking scheme can be updated based on the consumption. One or moretriggering actions can be monitored for during rendering of the firstcontent item, and the information blocking scheme can be updated basedon detecting one or more triggering actions while monitoring.

Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows or may be learned by practice. The advantages will be realizedand attained by means of the elements and combinations particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems:

FIG. 1 illustrates various aspects of an exemplary system;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example method;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another example method;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another example method; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present methods and systems are disclosed and described, itis to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited tospecific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended tobe limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” oneparticular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When sucha range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the oneparticular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, whenvalues are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms anotherembodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each ofthe ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, andindependently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intendedto exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps.“Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey anindication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used ina restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment orcombination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.

The present methods and systems may be understood more readily byreference to the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsand the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previousand following description.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the methods andsystems may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software andhardware aspects. Furthermore, the methods and systems may take the formof a computer program product on a computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software)embodied in the storage medium. More particularly, the present methodsand systems may take the form of web-implemented computer software. Anysuitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including harddisks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Embodiments of the methods and systems are described below withreference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods,systems, apparatuses and computer program products. It will beunderstood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may be loadedonto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions which execute on the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus create a means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readableinstructions for implementing the function specified in the flowchartblock or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loadedonto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process suchthat the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and programinstruction means for performing the specified functions. It will alsobe understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions orsteps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

Competitive events, sporting events, and other content (e.g., movies,shows) air at different times in the world. For the case of PremierLeague, the sport events happen in the early morning hours when most USviewers are sleeping. Premier League fans wake up to find out the scoreof the game that aired last night and thus, might miss out on theenjoyment of the game as if the game was watched “LIVE” by the fans. Notwanting the game results “spoiled” is a very common problem among sportsfans of all leagues. Sports fans may record important games but turn offand/or avoid sports news, sports apps, and/or the like and warn friendsto not let the fan know the results of last night's game. However, theproblem is much broader than sports and applies to any situation inwhich a user desires to delay receiving information related to content.For example, plot twists and other events in movies and television showscan be revealed via social media (e.g., friends' posts), news,commentary, and/or the like before the user desires to receive theinformation. Accordingly, the present disclosure describes methods andsystems for implementing an information blocking service configured forblocking, delaying, and/or otherwise preventing information from beingprovided to a user when various conditions are detected.

As an example, the information blocking service can be implementedaccording to a first condition: a user is watching a live sporting eventand the user has a sports application running. The sports applicationcan provide game scores, stats, and/or the like to the user associatedwith the live sporting event. The sports application can be configuredto automatically freeze game scores and stats if the sports application(e.g., or the information blocking service) detects that the user hasdone all of the following: the user scheduled the game for recording,and the user paused and/or rewound the game.

Once scores and stats are hidden, users have the option to manuallyreveal the latest game score and stats or wait for them to be revealedwhen a user has navigated to live content. Once scores have beenrevealed, the sports application (e.g., or information blocking service)can be configured to prevent the scores from automatically freezingagain for that game.

As another example, the information blocking service can be implementedaccording to a second condition: a user has previously recorded asporting event but has not watched the sporting event yet. When the userlaunches the sports application, the sports application canautomatically hide game scores and stats if the sports application(e.g., or information blocking service) detects that the user has notfinished watching the recorded game yet. The user can be given theoption to manually reveal game scores and stats or wait for them to berevealed when the user has finished watching the recorded game. Oncescores have been revealed, the information blocking service can beconfigured to prevent hiding of the scores again for that game.

As another example, the information blocking service can be implementedaccording to a third condition: a user is watching the first airing of atape-delayed game (e.g., a game that has already finished, but has notaired in the user's network yet). When the user launches the sportsapplication, the sports application can automatically hide game scoresand stats after the sports application (e.g., or the informationblocking service) detects that the game the user is watching is thefirst airing of a tape delayed game. The user has the option to manuallyreveal game scores and stats or wait for the scores and stats to berevealed when the user has finished watching the tape delayed game. Oncescores have been revealed, the information blocking service can beconfigured to prevent hiding of the scores again for that game.

FIG. 1 illustrates various aspects of an exemplary system 100 in whichthe present methods and systems can operate. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that present methods may be used in systems that employboth digital and analog equipment. One skilled in the art willappreciate that provided herein is a functional description and that therespective functions can be performed by software, hardware, or acombination of software and hardware.

The system 100 can comprise a plurality of services 101, a user device102 and an information management device 103. The system 100 can beconfigured to implement an information blocking service and/orinformation blocking scheme configured to block, freeze, hide, modify,and/or the like information related to content. As an example, thecontent can comprise a content item, content transmission (e.g., contentstream), and/or the like. The content can comprise, represent, and/orrender a competitive event, such as sports game, talent competition,game show, “reality” television competition, and/or the like. Thecontent can comprise a show (e.g., television show), newscast (e.g.,sports newscast), program, live event, movie, and/or the like. Asdescribed herein, the information related to content can comprisescoring information (e.g., team scores, individual scores), awardinformation (e.g., player of the game), timing information (e.g., timeof scoring, game time), event status (e.g., half time, end), statistics(e.g., time of possession, running distance), plot information (e.g.,character dies), social media commentary (e.g., indicating key plotdevelopments), and/or the like. The system 100 can be configured toprevent and/or delay a user from receiving information when it isdetermined that the user would likely prefer to delay receiving theinformation. The information can later be revealed to the user when itis determined that the user likely prefers to receive the information.

In an aspect, the plurality of services 101 can be configured to assistin providing information, content, data, communication, and/or otherexperiences to users. The plurality of services 101 can compriseservices configured to assist a service provider in a variety of tasks(e.g., with or without the knowledge of the user). The plurality ofservices 101 can be backend services operated by a service provider. Theplurality of services 101 can be communicatively coupled (e.g., througha network, an internal bus) to the user device 102 and/or theinformation management device 103. One or more of the plurality ofservices 101 can exchange information, data, communications, and/or thelike with the user device 102 and/or information management device 103.The plurality of services 101 can be implemented on a single device ormultiple devices. For example, one or more of the plurality of services101 can be implemented on the user device 102, the informationmanagement device 103, and/or other devices.

In an aspect, the plurality of services 101 can comprise a client dataservice 104. For example, the client data service can be configured toprovide information to one or more applications on the user device 102.For example, the client data service 104 can be configured to provideinformation related to content, such as information related to acompetitive event rendered in the content. The information related tocontent can comprise scoring information (e.g., team scores, individualscores), award information (e.g., player of the game), timinginformation (e.g., time of scoring, game time), event status (e.g., halftime, end), statistics (e.g., time of possession, running distance),and/or the like. As another example, the client data service 104 canprovide social media information, such as posts, messages, statuses,and/or the like.

In an aspect, the plurality of services 101 can comprise a user profileservice 105 configured to receive, store, collect, analyze, and/or thelike user profile information, such as geographic information (e.g.,location of user), language information (e.g., preferred language),advertising preferences, recommendation history, subscription tier,purchase history, viewing history (e.g., content consumption history,pausing, rewinding, fast forwarding, changing channel), and/or the like.User profile information can also comprise favorite information.Favorite information can comprise a list of entities (e.g., teams),categories (e.g., sports type, division type), individuals (e.g.,players), and/or the like associated with corresponding favorite status(e.g., not a favorite, a favorite), user “likes,” rankings (e.g., mostfavorite, second most favorite, third most favorite, most disliked,second most disliked), user “follows,” and/or the like. User profileinformation can also comprise information blocking preferences. Forexample, a user can specify that he or she prefers to have informationblocked (e.g., withheld, hidden) during specified events, under certaincriteria, and/or the like. For example, an information blockingpreference can comprise an indication that a user prefers to delayreceiving information related to a competitive event, such as scoringinformation, until the user has viewed content that comprises,represents, and/or renders the competitive event (e.g., or portion ofthe competitive event relevant to the information).

The plurality of services 101 can comprise a status service 106. Thestatus service 106 can be configured to determine, store, analyze,transmit and/or the like consumption statuses of content. As an example,the content can comprise, represent, show, and/or render a competitiveevent (e.g., sporting event, a talent competition, a reality show), anaward show, a political event, a news event, a movie, a televisionprogram, and/or the like. A consumption status can comprise a userinteraction with content, such as requesting content, controllingnavigation of content, clicking interface elements within and/orassociated with content, and/or the like. A consumption status can beassociated with a particular user or multiple users. As an example, theconsumption status can comprise one or more of: whether the content hasbeen consumed by a user, whether the content has been broadcast in auser network, whether the content has been stored in a cloud server,whether the content has been scheduled to be recorded, whether thecontent has been paused, whether the content has been rewound, whetherthe content has been played, and/or the like.

In an aspect, the plurality of services 101 can comprise a listingservice 107 configured to manage listing information, such as channellistings (e.g., television channels), stream listings (e.g., onlinechannels), and/or the like. The listing service 107 can be configured tomaintain and/or update the listing information. The listing service 107can provide the listing information to the user device 102. For example,the listing service 107 can provide the listing information to anapplication (e.g., content viewer, electronic program guide) on the userdevice 102.

In an aspect, the plurality of services 101 can comprise a digital videorecording (DVR) service 108. The DVR service 108 can be configured toprovide DVR content to users at the user device 102. For example, a DVRcan receive requests to record content from the user device 102. Therequest can be a request to record content at a cloud location (e.g., ata location in a network remote from the user device 102), a userlocation (e.g., at the user device 102 or at a device managed by theuser), and/or the like. The request can be a request to record contentat a future time or a current time. The DVR service 108 can record thecontent in response to the request. The DVR service 108 can also receiverequests to cancel a recording and/or scheduled recording. The DVRservice 108 can cancel, stop, and/or otherwise terminate the recordingof the content.

The plurality of services 101 can comprise additional services (e.g., Nadditional services) configured to assist in providing content to usersat the user device. For example, the additional services can managepower usage, network usage, social media information, user settings,user interface information, and/or the like.

In an aspect, one or more of the plurality of services 101 can beconfigured to transmit information to the information management device103. The information can be transmitted at regular intervals, upon thechange of information, upon request for the information (e.g., from theinformation management device 103 or from the user device 102), upon atriggering event, and/or the like. For example, the status service 106can be configured to transmit consumption statuses to the informationmanagement device 103. The DVR service 108 can be configured to transmitrecording information to the information management device 103. The userprofile service 105 can be configured to transmit user profileinformation (e.g., favorites) to the information management device 103.The client data service 104 can be configured to transmit data accessinformation (e.g., information about a user device requesting data fromthe client data service 104) to the information management device 103.The listing service 107 can be configured to transmit listing accessinformation (e.g., information about user interactions and/ornavigations with listing information) to the information managementdevice 103.

In an aspect, the information management device 103 can be a server forcommunicating with the user device 102. As an example, the informationmanagement device 103 can communicate with the user device 102 forproviding data and/or services. The information management device 103can provide services such as network (e.g., Internet) connectivity,network printing, media management (e.g., media server), contentservices, streaming services, broadband services, or othernetwork-related services. In an aspect, the information managementdevice 103 can allow the user device 102 to interact with remoteresources such as data, devices, and files. As an example, theinformation management device 103 can be configured as (or disposed at)a central location (e.g., a headend, or processing facility), which canreceive content (e.g., data, input programming) from multiple sources.The information management device 103 can combine the content from themultiple sources and can distribute the content to user (e.g.,subscriber) locations via a distribution system of the network 117.Furthermore, the information management device 103 can be configured toimplement, at least in part, an information blocking service for one ormore users at one or more user devices 102 as described herein.

The information management device 103 can comprise an event detectionunit 109 configured to detect events. For example, the event detectionunit 109 can receive information from one or more of the plurality ofservices 101. The event detection unit 109 can determine whether thereceived information is indicative of an event relevant to theinformation blocking service. For example, the event detection unit 109can comprise a data store (e.g., list, database) of predefined eventsrelevant to the information blocking service. The event detection unit109 can compare the received information (e.g., or event identified fromthe information) to the stored events (e.g., or criteria defining theevents) to determine if the received information is relevant to theinformation blocking service. In another aspect, the event detectionunit 109 can store the detected events (e.g., for later processing bythe event profiler unit 110). Each of the detected events can beassociated with a particular content item, entity (e.g., sports team),user (e.g., user account), and/or the like.

By way of illustration, the event detection unit 109 can detect thefollowing events: a request for data (e.g., request for event scoringinformation, request to reveal hidden information) received at theclient data service 104, an update to user profile information (e.g.,favoriting, unfavoriting, change in location, change in subscriptiontier) detected by the user profile service 105, a change in consumptionstatus (e.g., requesting content, pausing, rewinding, fast forwarding,tuning away, finishing content) detected by the status service 106, anavigational update for a content listing (e.g., navigating in adirection, hovering over, selecting an item of a channel list) detectedat the listing service 107, a notification related to a recording (e.g.,scheduling a recording, completing a recording, beginning a recording,automatic recording based on recommendation), and/or the like.

In an aspect, the event detection unit 109 can be configured todetermine that one or more of the events are triggering events. Atriggering event can comprise an event that triggers a check operation,a reveal operation, and/or other similar operation. A check operationcan comprise an operation to check whether to hide information from auser. A reveal operation can comprise an operation to reveal informationto the user. A triggering event can be associated with a particularcontent item, entity (e.g., sports team), user (e.g., user account),and/or the like. The following are examples of triggering events thatcan be defined to trigger a check operation: a user launches a client(e.g., user device 102 or an application thereon such as a sportsapplication), a user is watching a live airing of content (e.g.,competitive event, sports game) and pauses the content, a user iswatching a tape-delayed airing of the content, a user is watching arecording of the content, and/or the like. The following are examples oftriggering events that can be defined to trigger a reveal operation: auser navigates to (e.g., after pausing) a live airing of content (e.g.,a competitive event), a user completes watching recorded content (e.g.,of the competitive event) or a tape delayed airing of the content, auser requests (e.g., opts in) to see the information related to thecontent.

In an aspect, the information management device 103 can comprise anevent profiler unit 110. The event profiler unit 110 can be configuredto categorize the events identified by the event detection unit 109. Theevent profiler unit 110 can be configured to categorize the events inresponse to detection of a particular event, such as a check event, orin response to detecting the event. The event profiler unit 110 can beconfigured to categorize the events as indicative of whether a userprefers to delay notification of information related to the content itemor as indicative of whether the user prefers not to delay notificationof the information related to content item. For example, if an eventsuggests that a user is already informed about and/or not interested inthe information related to the content item, the event can becategorized as indicating that the user prefers not to delaynotification. If an event suggests that a user is not already informedabout and/or is interested in the information related to the contentitem, the event can be categorized as indicating that the user prefersto delay notification. In an aspect, the events can be categorized basedon a plurality of predefined events and corresponding event categories.If an event matches (e.g., within a threshold) the predefined event,then the event can be associated with the corresponding event category.

In another aspect, the event profiler unit 110 can be configured toassign a corresponding weight to each of the identified events. Forexample, the predefined events can be associated with correspondingweights (e.g., 0, −1, 1, −2, 2, −3, 3, or any number, symbol, orcategory appropriate to distinguish different weights). If an eventmatches a predefined event, then the event can be associated with thecorresponding weight. In one aspect, a weight can be a positive weight(e.g., weight defined by a positive number) or a negative weight (e.g.,weight defined by a negative number). Whether a weight associated withan event is a positive weight or a negative weight can be based on thecategorization of the event. For example, negative weights can beassociated with events categorized as indicating that the user prefersnot to delay notification of information related to the content item.Positive weights can be associated with events categorized as indicatingthat the user prefers to delay notification of information related tothe content item.

In an aspect, a category and/or weight can be received and/orcommunicated as a signal. One or more of the plurality of services 101can provide the weight to the event profiler unit 110 (e.g., from anevent profiler provided by the service). For example, a negative signalcan signify a negative weight. A positive signal can signify a positiveweight. An amplitude level, a number of times a signal is repeated,and/or the like can indicate an amount of negative or positive weight.

By way of illustration, an example scenario for categorizing events isdescribed as follows. The following example events can be categorized asindicating that a user prefers to delay notification of information: afirst event—a user schedules a recording of content (e.g., competitiveevent, show); a second event—the content is provided live or a tapedelayed airing of the content has never been aired; a third event—a userhas favorited an entity associated with the content (e.g., a team of thecompetitive event, a character of a show); a fourth event—the user haswatched the content (e.g., live airing, tape delayed airing, orrecording) for more than a specified time (e.g., 30 minutes). As anexample, the first event can have a weight of +1, the second event canhave a weight of +1, the third event can have a weight of +2, and thefourth event can have a weight of +1.

The following example events can be categorized as indicating that auser prefers not to delay notification of information: a fifthevent—user cancels or deletes a recording of the content; a sixthevent—newer content involving one or more of the favorite entities(e.g., teams of the competitive event, character of a show) has finishedrecording; a seventh event—the user paused the content (e.g., liveairing) for longer than a predefined time (e.g., 30 minutes); an eighthevent—while watching content (e.g., live or tape delayed), the userstops watching the content (e.g., changes the channel, walks away) anddoes not resume watching for a predefined time (e.g., 30 minutes); and aninth event—user unfavorites at least one of the entities associatedwith the content (e.g., teams of the competitive event). The fifth eventcan have a weight of −2, the sixth event can have a weight of −1, theseventh event can have a weight of −1, the eighth event can have aweight of −1, and the ninth event can have a weight of −2.

In an aspect the information management device 103 can comprise ananalysis unit 112. In an aspect, the analysis unit 112 can be configuredto determine whether to hide or reveal the information related to thecontent based on an information blocking scheme. The informationblocking scheme can comprise one or more rules 111 for categorization,weighing, and analyzing events. The one or more rules 111 can compriserules for determining whether to prevent information related to contentfrom being provided to particular users. For example, the one or morerules 111 can comprise evaluation rules for determining results based onthe categorization, weights, and/or the like of detected events,settings, and/or circumstances. The one or more rules 111 can becustomized to various users (e.g., by machine learning) or be the samefor all users. The information blocking scheme can be applied to usersby default or to users who opt in to the information blocking service.The information blocking scheme can exclude other users by default orexclude other users who opt out of the information blocking service.Applying the information blocking scheme can comprise evaluating eventsfrom a plurality of users and making various determinations (e.g., tohide or reveal content) for the users. For example, differentdeterminations can be made for different users depending on the eventsdetected for the user.

In an aspect, the analysis unit 112 can be configured to determinewhether to hide the information from the user or reveal the informationto the user based on and/or in response to detection of a triggeringevent, such as a check event. The analysis unit 112 can be configured toperform one or more calculations (e.g., based on the evaluation rules ofthe information blocking scheme) such as adding, subtracting,multiplying, dividing, and/or the weights of the events. For example,positive weights and negative weights associated with the events can beadded together to determine a result. If the result is positive, then itcan be determined to hide the information from the user. If the resultis negative, then it can be determined to reveal the information to theuser.

By way of illustration, an example scenario for determining whether tohide the information from the user or reveal the information to the useris described as follows. The analysis unit 112 can receive the followingevents and corresponding weights: the user has an entity (e.g., “SanFrancisco” giants) favorited (e.g., weight of +2), the user hasscheduled a recording for content (e.g., the game “San Francisco vs.Philadelphia”) (e.g., weight of +1), the content is provided to the userlive (e.g., is aired as the game or is being played) (e.g., weight of+1), and the user subsequently cancels the recording (e.g., weight of−2). The analysis unit 112 can determine a net positive result of +2 byadding the weights as follows: (+2)+(+1)+(+1)+(−2)=2. Accordingly, theanalysis unit 112 can determine to enable the information blockingservice for the user to block, hide, and/or the like the informationrelated to the content for the user.

In an aspect, the information management device 103 can comprise anotification unit 113 configured to provide one or more notifications.For example, the information management device 103 can be configured toprovide a notification to the user device, a remote device, a service(e.g., application, modification unit 114) on the information managementdevice 103, and/or the like. The notification can comprise aninstruction to hide or reveal information. For example, the informationcan comprise information related to a content item, information relatedto an entity (e.g., team, individual), information related to acompetitive event, and/or the like. For example, the notification cancomprise an instruction to an application, such as a sports application,to hide or reveal scoring information for a competitive event, team,individual, content item, and/or the like. The notification can comprisean instruction to “freeze” scoring associated with a specific time. Forexample, the instruction to freeze scoring can be configured to preventupdates to scoring past a certain time (e.g., the time when the userpaused the content item), until a certain time (e.g., until the userwatches at least a portion of the content item), and/or the like. Thenotification can comprise an instruction to modify a content item. Forexample, the information can be embedded in, bundled with, containedwith, or otherwise a part of the content item. The instruction to modifythe content item can instruct a device to modify the information withinthe content item. As described in further detail herein, a modificationunit 114 can implement modification of the content item and/ormodification of the information within the content item.

In an aspect, the notification unit 113 can be configured to provide thenotification based on the result of the analysis unit 112. For example,if the result is positive, the notification can comprise an instructionto hide to the information. If the result is negative, the notificationcan comprise an instruction to reveal the information. In anotheraspect, the notification can be provided in response to a triggeringevent. The one or more notifications can be provided based on and/or inresponse to detection of a triggering event, such as a check event or areveal event. For example, if a check event is detected, the analysisunit 112 can determine whether to hide or reveal information related tocontent. Depending on the result, the notification unit 113 can providea notification to hide the information or a notification to reveal theinformation. In some scenarios, the notification unit 113 may notprovide a notification, for example, if the check operation does notproduce a different result than previous results. In someimplementations, if a reveal event is detected, then a notification toreveal the information can be provided without a correspondingdetermination from the analysis unit 112 to hide or reveal informationfrom the user.

In an aspect, the information management device 103 can comprise amodification unit 114. In an aspect, the modification unit 114 can beconfigured to access content (e.g., content item, content stream,content transmission) from a content provider via a content distributionnetwork. The content can comprise information related to the content,such as scoring information (e.g., team scores, individual scores),award information (e.g., player of the game), timing information (e.g.,time of scoring, game time), event status (e.g., half time, end),statistics (e.g., time of possession, running distance), and/or thelike. As another example, information related to the content can berelated to a key moment (e.g., ending, score, attempted score, halftime) in a sporting event, movie, television show and/or the like. Forexample, the information related to the content can comprise socialmedia information. The modification unit 114 can modify the accessedcontent. Modifying content can comprise modifying a presentation statusassociated with the information related to the content. For example, theinformation related to the content can comprise and/or be associatedwith a presentation status, such as activated or deactivated, hidden orrevealed, delayed (e.g. paused) or live, and/or the like. As anotherexample, modifying the content can comprise removing the informationrelated to the content from the content and/or adding informationrelated to the content into the content. The modified content can betransmitted to one or more user devices (e.g., user device 102).

The information management device 103 can be configured to modify thecontent item based on receiving information (e.g., consumption status,favorite information) from one or more of the plurality of services 101,detecting of an event (e.g., a triggering event), the result ofdetermining whether to hide or reveal the information, and/or the like.For example, if the analysis unit 112 determines that a user prefers todelay receiving the information (e.g., a positive result), themodification unit 114 can be configured to modify the content to removethe information, set the presentation status to deactivated (e.g., orhidden, delayed), and/or the like. If the analysis unit 112 determinesthat a user prefers not to delay receiving the information (e.g., anegative result), the modification unit 114 can be configured to modifythe content to add the information, set the presentation status toactivated (e.g., or revealed, live), and/or the like.

By way of illustration, the information management device 103 can beconfigured to modify (e.g., block, remove, set presentation status todeactivated, hidden, or delayed) the information (e.g., sports scores)related to the content and/or provide a notification to hide, delay,and/or block the information related to the content in response to oneor more of the following conditions: a content item (e.g., live sportsgame) has been scheduled to be recorded and has not been consumed by acontent requestor, a content item (e.g., live sports game) has beenscheduled to be recorded and the content item (e.g., live sports game)involves a content requestor's favorite team, a content item (e.g., asports game) has taken place but has not been broadcast in the contentrequestor's network, a requested content item (e.g., a football game)has not been broadcast in the content requestor's time zone, and/or thelike.

The information management device 103 can be configured to modify (e.g.,add, set presentation status to activated, revealed, or live) theinformation (e.g., sports scores) related to content and/or provide anotification to reveal, allow, update, and/or provide the informationrelated to the content in response to one or more of the followingconditions: while watching requested content, the content requestorchanged channel and did not come back for a specific period of time, theuser navigates to live content (e.g., after pausing), the user completeswatching a recorded or tape delayed content, the user requests data,and/or the like.

In an aspect, the information blocking service can be enabled and laterdisabled (e.g., or vice versa) for the same content item and userdepending on the events detected by the information management device103. As an illustration, after detecting that a user has scheduled torecord a content item, and the content item involves one or more (e.g.,two) of the user's favorite entities (e.g., teams), the informationmanagement device 103 can enable the information blocking service toblock information related to the content (e.g., scores) when the contentitem is provided to the user device 102. Subsequently, if the contentrequestor canceled recording of the content item, and the contentrequestor stops watching the content item (e.g., walks away, changeschannel) and does not resume watching the content item within a specifictime period, the information management device 103 can determine thatthe content requestor is not interested in the content item anymoreand/or no longer prefers for the information to be delayed, blocked,and/or hidden. Accordingly, the information management device 103 candisable the information blocking service thereby revealing theinformation, updating the information, allowing the information to beprovided to the user, and/or the like.

As an illustration, the system 100 can be used in content (e.g.,television (TV)) personalization. For example, the status service 106can determine an identity of a user in front of a user device (e.g., aTV, a mobile device) by facial recognition. The user profile information(e.g., viewing history) can then be retrieved and used by theinformation management device 103. For example, if a user watches aprogram (e.g., a sports event) in front of a TV and then moves away fromthe TV, then the user continues to watch the same program (e.g., thesports event) via his or her mobile device, the information managementdevice 103 (e.g., via the status service 106) can monitor such behaviorby obtaining a viewing history of the user. The information managementdevice 103 can then provide (e.g., or direct another device to provide)the program (e.g., the sport event) to the user's mobile device based onthe user's viewing history. Specifically, the program can be provided tothe user's mobile device at the point at which the user moved away fromthe TV. The information management device 103 can be configured tonotify a service (e.g., local service or service on a user device,content delivery device) to hide or reveal information related to theprogram (e.g., scoring information) and/or to modify the program to hide(e.g., deactivate) or reveal (e.g., activate) the information in theprogram.

As previously explained, the system 100 can comprise a user device 102.The user device 102 can be configured to provide content, services,information, applications, and/or the like to one or more users. Forexample, the user device 102 can comprise a computer, a smart device(e.g., smart phone, smart watch, smart glasses, smart apparel, smartaccessory), a laptop, a tablet, a set top box, a display device (e.g.,television, monitor), digital streaming device, proxy, gateway,transportation device (e.g., on board computer, navigation system,vehicle media center), sensor node, and/or the like.

In one aspect, the user device 102 can comprise an interface unit 115configured to provide an interface to a user to interact with the userdevice 102 and/or remote devices, such as the information managementdevice 103. The interface unit 115 can be any interface for presentingand/or receiving information to/from the user, such as user feedback. Anexample interface can comprise a content viewer, such as a web browser(e.g., Internet Explorer®, Mozilla Firefox®, Google Chrome®, Safari®, orthe like), media player, application (e.g., web application, and/or thelike. Other software, hardware, and/or interfaces can be used to providecommunication between the user and one or more of the user device 102and the information management device 103.

In an aspect, the interface unit 115 can comprise a first applicationconfigured to provide information related to content. For example, thefirst application can provide the information related to the content inan overlay, side window, and/or other user element above and/or next tothe content (e.g., provided via the content viewer). The firstapplication can provide the information on a separate device (e.g.,smart device, tablet, computer) from the device on which the content isreceived (e.g., set top box). In an aspect, the first application can beconfigured to extract the information related to the content from thecontent, receive the information related to the content separately fromthe content (e.g., from the information management device 103, clientdata service 104, content server), and/or the like. The firstapplication can be configured to receive a notification to hide orreveal information related to the content from the notification unit113. For example, if the first application receives a notification tohide the information related to the content, then the first applicationcan place an overlay over the information to block display of theinformation, set the information as hidden (e.g., thereby preventingdisplay), withhold the information from display, prevent the informationfrom updating previously received information (e.g., prior scoringinformation), and/or the like. If the first application receives anotification to reveal the information related to the content, the firstapplication can reveal the information by updating prior content,setting the information as visible (e.g., thereby revealing), allowingthe information to be displayed to the user, and/or the like.

In some implementations, one or more of the plurality of services 101,the functionality of the information management device 103, and/or thelike can be implemented fully or in part on the user device 102. Forexample, events can be detected, categorized, and/or analyzed on theuser device 102. Notifications to hide or reveal information related tocontent can be provided from one application and/or service on the userdevice 102 to another application and/or service on the user device 102or an additional user device. For example, notifications can be providedfrom a gateway, set top box, and/or the like associated with the user toa smart device, computer, tablet, and/or the like associated with theuser (e.g., on user premises, owned by the user, managed by the user).Additionally, the user device 102 can be configured to modify thecontent as explained herein based on a determination to hide or revealinformation related to the content.

In an aspect, the user device 102 can comprise a communication unit 116.As an example, the communication unit 116 can request or query variousfiles from a local source and/or a remote source. As a further example,the communication unit 116 can transmit and/or receive data to a localor remote device such as the information management device 103. Thecommunication unit 116 can comprise hardware and/or software tofacilitate communication. For example, the communication unit 116 cancomprise one or more of a modem, transceiver (e.g., wirelesstransceiver)), digital-to-analog converter, analog-to-digital converter,encoder, decoder, modulator, demodulator, tuner (e.g., QAM tuner, QPSKtuner), and/or the like. In one aspect, the communication unit 116 canbe configured to allow one or more remote devices (e.g., in a local orremote portion of the network 117) to control operation of the userdevice 102.

In one aspect, the system 100 can comprise a network 117. In one aspect,the network 117 can comprise a packet switched network (e.g., internetprotocol based network), a non-packet switched network (e.g., quadratureamplitude modulation based network), and/or the like. The network 117can comprise network adapters, switches, routers, modems, and the likeconnected through wireless links (e.g., radio frequency, satellite)and/or physical links (e.g., fiber optic cable, coaxial cable, Ethernetcable, or a combination thereof). The network 117 can comprise publicnetworks, private networks, wide area networks (e.g., Internet), localarea networks, and/or the like. The network 117 can comprise a contentaccess network, content distribution network, and/or the like. In oneaspect, the network 117 can be configured to provide communication fromtelephone, cellular, modem, and/or other electronic devices to andthroughout the system 100. For example, the network 117 can beconfigured to communicatively couple one or more of the plurality ofservices 101, the user device 102, the information management device103, and/or the like.

In an aspect, one or more of the plurality of services 101 and theinformation management device 103 can be implemented as separate networkentities or reside in a common location. In the latter case, thecommunication between the one or more of the plurality of services 101and the information management device 103 can be performed by way ofinternal functionality. For example, the communication can be made bysending internal messages, communicating via a communication protocolbetween devices through direct links, and the like. In another aspect,the methods and systems disclosed can be located within one or more ofthe plurality of services 101, the information management device 103,the user device 102, and/or the like.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 200. At step 202,content can be provided (e.g., sent, transmitted, delivered) to a user(e.g., at a user device). For example, the content can comprise,represent, and/or render a competitive event, such as a sporting event,talent competition, and/or the like. The content can comprise a show,movie, and/or the like. The content can comprise live content (e.g.,from a cable delivery network and/or a network stream), recordedcontent, and/or the like. The content can be provided via a cabledelivery network, network stream, local transmission (e.g., via localstorage), and/or the like.

At step 204, a first triggering action related to the content can bedetected. The first triggering action can comprise an event relevant toan information blocking service. For example, the first triggeringaction can comprise a check event, a reveal event, another eventrelevant to the information blocking service, a combination thereof,and/or the like. In an aspect, the first triggering action can comprisea user action. The user action can be indicative of: the user beinguninformed about the information related to the content, an interest ofthe user in delaying receiving the information, a combination thereof,and/or the like. In an aspect, the first triggering action can be anaction of a device (e.g., device managed by a content provider and/orservice provide) such as detection of an event, circumstance, property,attribute, and/or the like. By way of example, the first triggeringaction can comprise favoriting an entity related to the content, pausingthe content, rewinding the content, recording the content, tuning to thecontent for a specified time, delaying from a time of a live eventcommunicated in the content before providing the content, a combinationthereof, and/or the like.

In an aspect, the method 200 can comprise categorizing the firsttriggering action as being indicative of an interest of the user indelaying the receiving of information related to the content. Theinformation related to the content can comprise scoring informationassociated with the competitive event, social media information (e.g.,related to a plot development), and/or the like. For example, theinformation related to the content can comprise team scores, individualscores, and/or the like. For example, the first triggering action can becategorized as being indicative of an interest of the user in delayingreceiving information (or an interest in receiving the informationwithout delay). For example, certain actions can be predefined asindicating the interest of the user in delaying receiving of theinformation (or an interest in receiving the information without delay).Additionally, categorizing the first triggering action can compriseassigning a weight of the first triggering action as being indicative ofa user interest in delaying receiving the information (or in a userinterest in receiving the information without delay).

At step 206, an information blocking service can be enabled based ondetecting the first triggering action. The information blocking servicecan be enabled to notify one or more devices associated with the user tohide information related to the content. The information blockingservice can be enabled based on categorizing the first triggeringaction.

The information blocking service can be configured to notify the one ormore devices associated with the user to prevent updates to theinformation from being displayed to the user. For example, the one ormore devices can comprise a set top box, a mobile device (e.g., smartphone, smart watch, smart glasses, smart apparel), television, on boarddevice (e.g., navigational device, multimedia device), computer station,laptop, and/or the like. The one or more devices can be configured to:discard the information related to the content, delay display of theinformation related to the content (e.g., until receiving anothernotification, until detecting an event), notify the user that theinformation is being withheld, provide an option for the user to requestthe withheld information, and/or the like.

In another aspect, the method 200 can comprise disabling the informationblocking service for the user and notifying the one or more devices toreveal the information related to the content. For example, theinformation blocking service can be disabled in response to a secondtriggering action. The second triggering action can comprise any actionor series of actions that indicate the user is no longer interested inhiding the information, such as, unfavoriting the entity, canceling arecording (e.g., or scheduled recording), pausing for more than apredefined time (e.g., 30 minutes), tuning to a different channel andnot returning to content for a predefined time, and/or the like.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 300. At step 302,events related to a content item and/or a user action can be collected.Collecting events related to the content item can comprise monitoring aplurality of content related services. For example, the client dataservice 104, user profile service 105, status service 106, listingservice 107, DVR service 108, and/or the like can be monitored forevents. For example, the plurality of content related services canprovide notifications, messages, and/or the like indicating theoccurrence of one or more of the events.

The events can comprise, for example, modifying a favorite status (e.g.,unfavoriting or favoriting) associated with an entity (e.g., team,competitor) related to the content item, pausing the content item,rewinding the content item, recording the content item, tuning to thecontent item for a specified time, delaying from a time of a live eventcommunicated in the content item before providing the content item tothe user, a combination thereof, and/or the like. By way of furtherexample, the events can comprise canceling a recording (e.g., orscheduled recording), pausing for more than a predefined time (e.g., 30minutes), tuning to a different channel and not returning to contentitem for a predefined time, and/or the like. The events can compriseuser actions, actions of a device (e.g., device managed by a contentprovider and/or service provider), such as detection of a user action,circumstance, property, attribute, and/or the like.

The content item can comprise a competitive event, such as a sportingevent, talent competition, and/or the like. The content item cancomprise a movie, show, and/or the like. The content item can beassociated with and/or comprise information related to the content item.The information related to the content item can comprise scoringinformation (e.g., team scores, individual scores) associated with thecompetitive event, social media information (e.g., post, status, messageindicating plot development), and/or the like. The scoring informationcan comprise number of points, time information (e.g., competitive time,time of scoring event), number of votes, ranking of competitors, awardinformation (e.g., medals), and/or the like.

At step 304, the events can be categorized as indicative of whether auser prefers to delay notification of the information related to thecontent item (or prefers not to delay notification of the informationrelated to content item). For example, if an event suggests that a useris already informed about and/or not interested in the informationrelated to the content item, the event can be categorized as indicatingthat the user prefers not to delay notification. If an event suggeststhat a user is not already informed about and/or is interested in theinformation related to the content item, the event can be categorized asindicating that the user prefers to delay notification. In an aspect,the events can be categorized based on a plurality of predefined eventsand corresponding event categories. If an event matches (e.g., within athreshold) the predefined event, then the event can be associated withthe corresponding event category. The event categories can include, butare not limited to, a first category of events that indicate a user'sinterest in delaying receiving information related to a content item anda second category of events that indicate that user's interest inreceiving the information related to the content item without delay.

In another aspect, the method 300 can comprise assigning a weight toeach of the events. For example, the predefined events can be associatedwith corresponding weights (e.g., 0, −1, 1, −2, 2, −3, 3, or any numberor category appropriate to distinguish different weights). If an eventmatches a predefined event, then the event can be associated with thecorresponding weight. In one aspect, a weight can be a positive weight(e.g., weight defined by a positive number) or a negative weight (e.g.,weight defined by a negative number). Whether a weight associated withan event is a positive weight or a negative weight can be based on thecategorization of the event. For example, negative weights can beassociated with events categorized as indicating that the user prefersnot to delay notification of information related to the content item.Positive weights can be associated with events categorized as indicatingthat the user prefers to delay notification of information related tothe content item.

At step 306, a determination can be made as to whether to hide theinformation from the user or reveal the information to the user based onthe categorization of the events. Determining whether to hide or revealthe information to the user can be based on the correspondingcategorization and/or corresponding weight of each of the events. Thedetermination can be made based on adding, subtracting, multiplying,dividing, and/or the like the weights of the events related to thecontent item. For example, positive weights and negative weightsassociated with the events can be added together to determine a result.If the result is positive, then it can be determined to hide theinformation from the user. If the result is negative, then it can bedetermined to reveal the information to the user.

In an aspect, the method 300 can comprise determining one or moredevices associated with the user. A device can be determined (e.g.,selected) from the one or more devices based on an application being onthe device. The application can be configured to provide the informationto the user (e.g., at least when instructed to provide the information).For example, the application can comprise a news application, sportsapplication, live event application, user interface (e.g., of a set topbox, television, media streaming device), and/or the like. As a furtherexample, the application can comprise a sports application configured toprovide statistics, scores, and/or the like related to one or moresports teams, individuals, categories of sporting events (e.g., collegefootball, major league baseball), and/or the like. As another example,the application can comprise a social media application configured toprovide posts, messages, status, likes, links, and/or the like. Thedevice can comprise a set top box, a mobile device (e.g., smart phone,smart watch, smart glasses, smart apparel), television, on board device(e.g., navigational device, multimedia device), computer station,laptop, and/or the like.

At step 308, an instruction can be provided to the device to hide theinformation from the user or reveal the information to the user based onthe determination of whether to hide the information from the user orreveal the information to the user. The instruction can be provided tothe device in response to a request for the information from theapplication on the device. By way of example, providing the instructionto the device to hide the information can comprise providing anotification to freeze the information thereby preventing theinformation from being updated. The events can comprise a first event ofscheduling a recording and a second event of at least one of pausing andrewinding the recording. The notification to freeze the information canbe in response to the occurrence of both the first event and secondevent.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 400. At step 402, aplurality of information blocking preferences can be received. Theplurality of information blocking preferences can be received from oneor more users. For example, the one or more users can provide theinformation blocking preferences in a user interface. In one aspect,receiving the plurality of information blocking preferences can comprisedetermining information blocking preferences based on user history(e.g., previously blocked information), user favorites (e.g., favoriteteams), and/or the like. The information blocking preferences cancomprise preferences to block information related to one or morecompetitive events, competitive teams, competitive individuals, and/orthe like. The information blocking preferences can comprise timinginformation indicative of when to block the information. For example,the timing information can comprise competition times, generalizedinstructions to block information while specified conditions exist,and/or the like. Example conditions can comprise a condition to blockinformation until the user has watched a specified portion of the game(e.g., all of the game, the part relevant to the information such aswhen a score occurs), a condition to block information after a useraction (e.g., pausing content, recording content), and/or the like.

At step 404, an information blocking scheme can be applied to aplurality of content items based on the plurality of informationblocking preferences. For example, the information blocking scheme cancomprise one or more rules for blocking information related to content.Applying the information blocking scheme can comprise evaluating one ormore of the rules based on the information blocking preferences. Forexample, applying the information blocking scheme can result in adetermination to block first information related to a first team, firstevent, first time period, first content item (e.g., show) and/or thelike. Applying the information blocking scheme can result in adetermination not to block second information related to a second team,second event, second time, and/or the like.

As a further illustration, applying the information blocking scheme fora first user can result in a first determination, while applying theinformation blocking scheme for a second user can result in a seconddetermination. The first determination can be a determination to blockfirst information related to a first team, first event, first timeperiod, and/or the like while the second determination can be adetermination not to block the first information related to the firstteam, first event, first time period, and/or the like.

At step 406, an instruction to prevent transmitting, making available,providing, presenting (e.g., rendering, displaying), and/or the like ofinformation to a user can be sent to a device based on the informationblocking scheme. For example, the instruction can be sent based onapplying the information blocking scheme (e.g., one or moredeterminations resulting from applying the information blocking scheme).The device can comprise a set top box, a mobile device (e.g., smartphone, smart watch, smart glasses, smart apparel), television, on boarddevice (e.g., navigational device, multimedia device), computer station,laptop, and/or the like. The instruction can be sent by one or more ofthe plurality of services 101, a second device (e.g., informationmanagement device 103), and/or the like to the device. The instructioncan be sent via a network, such as a content delivery network and/orcontent access network. For example, the instruction can be sent adownstream token, as an internet protocol based transmission, via alocal bus, from one module to another module, and/or the like. As afurther example, the instruction can be sent to an application (e.g.,sports scoring application) and/or service on the device.

At step 408, consumption by the user of a first content item of theplurality of content items can be determined. Determining consumption bythe user of the first content item of the plurality of content items cancomprise determining that the user has paused the first content item,rewound at least a portion of the first content item, recorded a least aportion of the first content item, tuned away from the first contentitem, tuned to the first content item, a combination thereof, and/or thelike. For example, the device can provide a notification indicating theconsumption by the user (e.g., in response to a change in consumption).For example, consumption by the user of the first content item can bedetected by the status service 106, information management device 103,and/or the like. As a further example, a service on the device, such asthe status service 106 or a device configured to communicate with thestatus service 106 can (e.g., continuously) determine consumption bydetecting, analyzing, and/or the like, requests from the user (e.g.,.request to pause, play, rewind, fast forward, tune).

At step 410, the information blocking scheme can be updated based on theconsumption. For example, the information blocking scheme can be updatedfor the user. Updating the information blocking scheme based on theconsumption can comprise turning on information blocking for the user orturning off information blocking for the user in response to theconsumption (or change in consumption).

At step 412, one or more triggering actions can be monitored for while(e.g., during) transmitting, making available, providing, presenting(e.g., rendering, displaying), and/or the like the first content item.The one or more triggering actions can comprise favoriting an entityrelated to the first content item, recording the first content item,tuning to the first content item for a specified time, delaying from atime of a live event communicated in the first content item beforeproviding the first content item, a combination thereof, and/or thelike. For example, one or more of the plurality of services 101 can beconfigured to detect, monitor, and/or otherwise listen for theoccurrence of the triggering actions. For example, the device can beconfigured to notify one or more of the plurality of services 101 of avariety of events, such as events relevant to the user. A second device(e.g., information management device 103), one or more of the pluralityof services 101, and/or the like can receive the notification of theevents and determine if any of the events are triggering actions.

At step 414, the information blocking scheme can be updated based ondetecting one or more triggering actions (e.g., while monitoring for theone or more triggering actions). For example, the one or more triggeringactions can be detected by analyzing events and/or notifications ofevents and determining that one or more of the events are triggeringactions. For example, triggering actions can be indicative of a user'sinterest in receiving information without delay or of the user'sinterest in delaying receiving of information. For example, the eventscan be determined to be triggering actions based on predefined criteria(e.g., certain events defined as triggering actions, a combination ofevents comprise a triggering action), artificial intelligence (e.g.,machine learning), and/or the like.

Updating the information blocking scheme based on detecting one or moretriggering actions can comprise turning on information blocking for theuser or turning off information blocking for the user in response to theone or more triggering actions. In an aspect, the method 400 can furthercomprise sending a second instruction to the device to allow renderingof information to the user based on the information blocking schemebeing updated based on the consumption.

In another aspect, the information blocking scheme can be updateddifferently for different content items. For example, monitoring for oneor more triggering actions during rendering of the first content itemcan comprise detecting a change to a second content item. Updating theinformation blocking scheme based on detecting one or more triggeringactions can comprise turning on information blocking for the firstcontent item and turning off information blocking for the second contentitem.

In an exemplary aspect, the methods and systems can be implemented on acomputer 501 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and described below. By way ofexample, the user device 102, the plurality of services 101, and/or theinformation management device 103 of FIG. 1 can be computers asillustrated in FIG. 5. Similarly, the methods and systems disclosed canutilize one or more computers to perform one or more functions in one ormore locations. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplaryoperating environment for performing the disclosed methods. Thisexemplary operating environment is only an example of an operatingenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of operating environment architecture.Neither should the operating environment be interpreted as having anydependency or requirement relating to any one or combination ofcomponents illustrated in the exemplary operating environment.

The present methods and systems can be operational with numerous othergeneral purpose or special purpose computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments,and/or configurations that can be suitable for use with the systems andmethods comprise, but are not limited to, personal computers, servercomputers, laptop devices, and multiprocessor systems. Additionalexamples comprise set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computingenvironments that comprise any of the above systems or devices, and thelike.

The processing of the disclosed methods and systems can be performed bysoftware components. The disclosed systems and methods can be describedin the general context of computer-executable instructions, such asprogram modules, being executed by one or more computers or otherdevices. Generally, program modules comprise computer code, routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Thedisclosed methods can also be practiced in grid-based and distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules can be located inboth local and remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the systems andmethods disclosed herein can be implemented via a general-purposecomputing device in the form of a computer 501. The components of thecomputer 501 can comprise, but are not limited to, one or moreprocessors 503, a system memory 512, and a system bus 513 that couplesvarious system components including the one or more processors 503 tothe system memory 512. In some implementations, the system can utilizeparallel computing.

The system bus 513 represents one or more of several possible types ofbus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or localbus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, sucharchitectures can comprise an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, aVideo Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, an AcceleratedGraphics Port (AGP) bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI),a PCI-Express bus, a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association(PCMCIA), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the like. The system bus 513,and all buses specified in this description can also be implemented overa wired or wireless network connection and each of the subsystems,including the one or more processors 503, a mass storage device 504, anoperating system 505, content management software 506, contentmanagement data 507, a network adapter 508, system memory 512, anInput/Output Interface 510, a display adapter 509, a display device 511,and a human machine interface 502, can be contained within one or moreremote computing devices 514 a,b,c at physically separate locations,connected through buses of this form, in effect implementing a fullydistributed system.

The computer 501 typically comprises a variety of computer readablemedia. Exemplary readable media can be any available media that isaccessible by the computer 501 and comprises, for example and not meantto be limiting, both volatile and non-volatile media, removable andnon-removable media. The system memory 512 comprises computer readablemedia in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory(RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM). Thesystem memory 512 typically contains data such as content managementdata 507 and/or program modules such as operating system 505 and contentmanagement software 506 that are immediately accessible to and/or arepresently operated on by the one or more processors 503.

In another aspect, the computer 501 can also comprise otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media.By way of example, FIG. 5 illustrates a mass storage device 504 whichcan provide non-volatile storage of computer code, computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for thecomputer 501. For example and not meant to be limiting, a mass storagedevice 504 can be a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a removableoptical disk, magnetic cassettes or other magnetic storage devices,flash memory cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, random access memories (RAM), read only memories (ROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and thelike.

Optionally, any number of program modules can be stored on the massstorage device 504, including by way of example, an operating system 505and content management software 506. Each of the operating system 505and content management software 506 (or some combination thereof) cancomprise elements of the programming and the content management software506. Content management data 507 can also be stored on the mass storagedevice 504. Content management data 507 can be stored in any of one ormore databases known in the art. Examples of such databases comprise,DB2®, Microsoft® Access, Microsoft® SQL Server, Oracle®, mySQL,PostgreSQL, and the like. The databases can be centralized ordistributed across multiple systems.

In another aspect, the user can enter commands and information into thecomputer 501 via an input device (not shown). Examples of such inputdevices comprise, but are not limited to, a keyboard, pointing device(e.g., a “mouse”), a microphone, a joystick, a scanner, tactile inputdevices such as gloves, and other body coverings, and the like These andother input devices can be connected to the one or more processors 503via a human machine interface 502 that is coupled to the system bus 513,but can be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as aparallel port, game port, an IEEE 1394 Port (also known as a Firewireport), a serial port, or a universal serial bus (USB).

In yet another aspect, a display device 511 can also be connected to thesystem bus 513 via an interface, such as a display adapter 509. It iscontemplated that the computer 501 can have more than one displayadapter 509 and the computer 501 can have more than one display device511. For example, a display device can be a monitor, an LCD (LiquidCrystal Display), or a projector. In addition to the display device 511,other output peripheral devices can comprise components such as speakers(not shown) and a printer (not shown) which can be connected to thecomputer 501 via Input/Output Interface 510. Any step and/or result ofthe methods can be output in any form to an output device. Such outputcan be any form of visual representation, including, but not limited to,textual, graphical, animation, audio, tactile, and the like. The displaydevice 511 and computer 501 can be part of one device, or separatedevices.

The computer 501 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computing devices 514 a,b,c. By way ofexample, a remote computing device can be a personal computer, portablecomputer, smartphone, a server, a router, a network computer, a peerdevice or other common network node, and so on. Logical connectionsbetween the computer 501 and a remote computing device 514 a,b,c can bemade via a network 515, such as a local area network (LAN) and/or ageneral wide area network (WAN). Such network connections can be througha network adapter 508. A network adapter 508 can be implemented in bothwired and wireless environments. Such networking environments areconventional and commonplace in dwellings, offices, enterprise-widecomputer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

For purposes of illustration, application programs and other executableprogram components such as the operating system 505 are illustratedherein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programsand components reside at various times in different storage componentsof the computer 501, and are executed by the data processor(s) of thecomputer. An implementation of content management software 506 can bestored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media.Any of the disclosed methods can be performed by computer readableinstructions embodied on computer readable media. Computer readablemedia can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. Byway of example and not meant to be limiting, computer readable media cancomprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.” “Computerstorage media” comprise volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any methods or technology for storageof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Exemplary computer storage mediacomprises, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory orother memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by acomputer.

The methods and systems can employ artificial intelligence (AI)techniques such as machine learning and iterative learning. Examples ofsuch techniques include, but are not limited to, expert systems, casebased reasoning, Bayesian networks, behavior based AI, neural networks,fuzzy systems, evolutionary computation (e.g. genetic algorithms), swarmintelligence (e.g. ant algorithms), and hybrid intelligent systems (e.g.Expert inference rules generated through a neural network or productionrules from statistical learning).

While the methods and systems have been described in connection withpreferred embodiments and specific examples, it is not intended that thescope be limited to the particular embodiments set forth, as theembodiments herein are intended in all respects to be illustrativerather than restrictive.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intendedthat an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possiblenon-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic withrespect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaningderived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or typeof embodiments described in the specification.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thescope or spirit. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosedherein. It is intended that the specification and examples be consideredas exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: determining consumptionstatus of a content item; monitoring a request for the content item; andmodifying the content item based on the consumption status.